[masterj]

If you have that much runway, you should apply to Recurse Center https://www.recurse.com/ which will give you a chance to build up your skills, your confidence, and your network.

> Will the 4-year gap and my choppy CV be a major hindrance to my hirability?

Yes, so spend some time thinking about how to get a hiring managers attention. If there's nothing separating you from someone with more recent experience you're going to struggle and get filtered out before anyone talks to you.

Ideally you can find a way to have conversations with a hiring manager or someone on the team you'd like to join vs emailing in a resume that a recruiter is going to toss. Find or create a reason for them to want to talk to you.

[unmole]

This. And because it wasn't made explicit: Recourse centre makes money by placing their graduates with companies.

> The biggest thing we can do for you is help you get a programming job. We partner with companies to help them hire engineers, data scientists, engineering managers, and more.

https://www.recurse.com/career-services

[abeyer]

I just wish they would reopen the physical space... I'd find it 1000x more useful in person. I was on the verge of putting in a leave request for an RC application before the pandemic, and have been waiting to hear about their reopening, but still nothing more than "we are planning to, but not committed to anything yet." :(

[troutskey]

Recurse Center seems interesting. If my job applications don't work out, I'll definitely consider applying.

Thanks!